Living The Dream Brewing Company | 7-Speed IPA

I still remember the day I learned how to ride a bike. There I stood, gazing down at the pavement in front of me as my dad counted down to my impending take-off: three… two… one. With one final push I was off, swaying from side to side like a rickety old boat but refusing to give in to either side. As I flew down my street with the wind in my ponytails and the summer sun shining on my beloved pink Huffy, I thought to myself, “It can’t get any better than this!” And while I may never feel that same rush of triumphantly rolling away from my cheering parents, I get pretty close any time I try a beer from Living The Dream Brewing Company. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Hiking Companion Beers

Spring is officially in full swing and summer is just right around the corner. It’s the perfect time of the year to get outside and do some exploring. Three things that go well together this time of the year are the great outdoors, hiking and (of course) beer. After reading this, grab some of your favorite beers, find some trails and get up into the mountains. Read More

Event Recap | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Burly Beer Fest

PorchDrinking closed out winter with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild during their Burly Beer Fest on Saturday, April 1st. The festival featured 113 different beers with some really rare and special offerings available from 55 different breweries from all across the country. According to Margo Metzger, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild, Burly Beer Fest “raised $10,000 to support [the] guild’s mission to make North Carolina the best place to brew beer (and drink beer) in the nation.” Combine all that was available with the general atmosphere provided by the grounds around Sierra Nevada and it was easy to relax, enjoy yourself and sip some huge beers in a proper send off to winter all in support of a great cause.

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Devils Backbone Brewing Company | The Family Beer Project

Devils Backbone Brewing Company may be best known for its Germanic, lager-centric catalog, but the brewery also takes time to put unique beers into the market. Nearly every season, Devils Backbone releases up to four new beers ranging from common styles to experimental fusions, and the Family Beer Project is an example of that. So it’s safe to say that whether I’m heading to my favorite bottle shop or Costco, I’ll be able to satisfy the intrepid beer fan within.

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The Six Best Beers for Summer Backpacking

You have finally reached your campsite after hiking 20 miles over rugged terrain with all of your gear on your back. A heavy band of sweat clings to your head as you finally drop your pack and begin to set up your shelter. Once you’ve eaten and settled in for the night, you reach into your pack and pull out a beer. Beer might not be as essential as food, water, shelter or clothing, but, in your modest camp, it’s nothing short of a luxury.

Since the most important criterion of a backpacking beer is portability, every beer on this list will be canned. Cans are much lighter than glass and don’t require you to pack a bottle-opener. You also do not run the risk of a can breaking and leaving dangerous shards all over the campsite. Last but not least, aluminum conducts heat faster than glass, which means they’ll get cold faster when you stick them in a creek. There are many to choose from, but, if you ask me, these are the best summer backpacking beers. Read More